Pepperell

Sergi won't run for selectman

PEPPERELL -- After 16 years of serving in local government, Selectman Joseph Sergi will be hanging up his political saddle. Sergi announced at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night that he would not be running for re-election. Sergi has been serving as selectman since 2007.

"I've enjoyed my time here and I hope I've contributed to making Pepperell a better place," said Sergi. "It's been a truly difficult four years for Pepperell but I think I'm leaving it in good hands with (Town Administrator) John (Moak), Peggy (Mazzola) and my fellow selectmen."

After moving to town in 1997, Sergi ran for and got elected to the Planning Board.

Since then, he said, "I haven't looked back."

Annual town election is April 22.

In addition to the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen, Sergi has also served on the Land Use Committee, the Charter Committee and the Mill Committee. Sergi said he felt that with other events in his life, he felt he could no longer dedicate the same level of time and focus that he has to the position in the past.

In addition to thanking his supporters, he extended the most thanks to his wife Patty and daughters Olivia and Katie, "For understanding and for all those missed dinners and family events," he said. "I lost the majority vote at home but they might regret that having me around a little bit more.

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Selectman Michael Green addressed Sergi, saying that although the two haven't always agreed, he's appreciated the candor and feedback that Sergi has provided him.

"The town's going to lose a very good leader," said Green. "To me, having come from the outside, you've been, I think, a good mentor in navigating me through some of the politics and things like that and I appreciate it."

"We most certainly had a lot of fun, didn't we?" Sergi responded.

In other business, the board voted to accept the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant totaling $138,012 that they had been awarded through FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. The grant will go toward funding a full-time firefighter and paramedic position for two years, with wages and benefits at no cost to the town. The only costs the town will incur will be from equipment provided to the employee. The Board of Fire Engineers appeared before selectmen for the motion.

Firefighter Milt Blood said his only concern was the long-term benefits.

"What are we going to gain long-term if this is only two years?" he asked. "Is there a way now to start with the Finance Committee to start looking for ways we could possibly take this on at the end of two years?"

Sergi said it would be premature to begin those discussions now.

Assistant Fire Chief Peter Shattuck said that in the interview process, they would need to be upfront with the applicant in disclosing the length of the term.

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